Athletic apparatus having adjustable track

ABSTRACT

An athletic apparatus includes a supporting base, a pair of tracks disposed on the supporting base and tilted relative to the supporting base, two foot support slidably attached onto the tracks, a transmitting device coupled between the foot supports for guiding the foot supports to move alternatively relative to each other, and a resistive device coupled to the foot supports for applying a resistive force to the foot supports. The transmitting device includes two rollers engaged onto a spindle, and two belts are coupled between the foot supports and engaged with the rollers for rotating the spindle in an active direction when the foot supports are stepped along the track by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an athletic apparatus, and more particularly to an athletic apparatus including a pair of non-linear sliding tracks movable relative to the supporting base and having a pair of foot pedals slidably attached or mounted on the tracks for supporting the user's legs or feet and for allowing the user to conduct an elliptical moving or stepping or walking exercise or operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical athletic apparatuses or exercise devices comprise a pair of rotatably positionable tracks each having a stirrup movable back and forth thereon for supporting the user's legs or feet and for allowing the user to conduct sliding or skiing or skating or other types of exercise operations.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,372 to McCormack, U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,205 to Doll et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,595 to Bruno disclose several of the typical ice-skating exercise devices each comprising a pair of rotatably positionable and angularly adjustable tracks, and a pair of foot pedals slidably attached or mounted on the tracks for supporting the user's legs or feet and for allowing the user to conduct sliding or skiing or skating or other types of exercise operations.

However, the tracks are supported horizontally relative to the supporting base and the foot pedals may not be moved along an elliptical moving stroke, or the foot pedals and the pedal members may only be moved or stepped up and down relative to the supporting base, but may not be moved along an elliptical moving stroke.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,806,808 to Kuo, and U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,961 to Kuo discloses the other typical exercise apparatus each comprising a pair of pedal members slidably attached or mounted to a supporting base with sliding tracks, and a pair of foot pedals rotatably attached or mounted to the pedal members and coupled to the supporting base with pulleys and cables for keeping the vertical motion of the foot pedals.

However, the sliding tracks and the foot pedals may not be moved or adjusted relative to each other and/or the handle may not be moved or adjusted relative to the supporting base such that the typical exercise apparatus may not be suitably actuated or operated by the users of different shape or size or dimension or height or the like.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional athletic devices or apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an athletic apparatus including a pair of non-linear sliding tracks movable relative to the supporting base and having a pair of foot pedals slidably attached or mounted on the tracks for supporting the user's legs or feet and for allowing the user to conduct an elliptical moving or stepping or walking exercise or operation.

The other objective of the present invention is to provide an athletic apparatus including a pair of sliding tracks movable relative to the supporting base for supporting the foot supports, and a coupling mechanism coupling the lower ends of the beams or of the tracks together.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an athletic apparatus comprising a supporting base including a column extended upwardly from a front portion of the supporting base, two tracks disposed on the supporting base and tilted relative to the supporting base, and the tracks including a curved and non-linear structure having rear ends located below front ends of the tracks, and the rear ends of the tracks being spaced farther away from each other then the front ends of the tracks, a first foot support and a second foot support slidably attached onto the tracks and movable up and down along the tracks respective, a transmitting device coupled between the first and the second foot supports for guiding the first and the second foot supports to move up and down along the tracks and to move alternatively relative to each other, and a resistive device coupled to the first and the second foot supports for applying a resistive force to the first and the second foot supports.

The transmitting device includes a spindle rotatably attached to the column, a first roller and a second roller engaged onto the spindle and rotatable unidirectionally relative to the spindle, a first belt coupled between the first and the second foot supports and engaged with the first roller for coupling the first and the second foot supports together and for rotating the spindle in an active direction when the first foot support is stepped downwardly along the track, and a second belt coupled between the foot supports and engaged with the second roller for rotating the spindle in the active direction when the second foot support is stepped downwardly along the track.

The transmitting device includes a first follower and a second follower disposed beside the second roller and engaged with the second belt for allowing the spindle to be rotated by the second roller and the second belt in the active direction when the second foot support is stepped downwardly along the track. The resistive device includes a flywheel attached to the spindle and rotated in concert with the spindle for applying a resistive force to the spindle and the first and the second foot supports.

The resistive device includes an idle wheel rotatably attached to the supporting base and having a shaft coupled to the flywheel with a strap for allowing the idle wheel to be rotated by the flywheel and the spindle.

An electric generator is further provided and attached to the supporting base and coupled to the shaft of the idle wheel for allowing the electric generator to be rotated by the idle wheel and to generate an electric energy. A resistive device is further provided and attached to the supporting base and located beside the idle wheel for braking the idle wheel.

The first and the second foot supports each include a carrier slidably attached onto the track and movable up and down along the track respectively, and a plate pivotally attached to the carrier and pivotable relative to the carrier to selected angular positions. The tracks each include two parallel beams having front ends attached to a common linking member which is pivotally attached to the column, and having rear ends coupled together with a second linking member for forming a parallelogramic structure.

A coupling mechanism is further provided for coupling the rear ends of the tracks together. The coupling mechanism includes an arm pivotally attached to the supporting base, the arm includes two end portions pivotally coupled to the rear ends of the tracks with coupling stems respectively for allowing the rear ends of the tracks to be moved toward and away from each other when the arm is rotated relative to the supporting base.

The supporting base includes a panel having one or more apertures formed therein. a spring biased latch is attached to the arm and engageable with either of the apertures of the panel for anchoring the arm to the supporting base at selected angular positions.

A handle mechanism is further provided and attached to the column for supporting an upper portion of a user. The handle mechanism includes two handle members pivotally coupled to the column with levers for forming a parallelogramic structure and for allowing the handle members to be pivoted and adjusted up and down relative to the column.

The handle mechanism includes two handle bars attached to the handle members respectively. The column includes a board having one or more cavities formed in the board, and a spring biased catch is attached to one of the levers and engageable with either of the cavities of the board for anchoring the levers to the column at selected angular positions.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of an athletic apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another rear perspective view of the athletic apparatus, in which a portion or some of the parts or elements of the athletic apparatus has been cut off for showing the inner structure of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a right side plan schematic view of the athletic apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side plan schematic view of the athletic apparatus as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side plan schematic view illustrating a foot support of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view illustrating a foot support of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view illustrating a transmitting mechanism of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a partial exploded view illustrating the transmitting mechanism of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a rear side plan schematic view of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a partial top plan schematic view illustrating the tracks and the pedals of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 11 is another partial top plan schematic view similar to FIG. 10, illustrating the operation of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a partial exploded view illustrating a coupling mechanism of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a right side plan schematic view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating the operation of the athletic apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a partial right side plan schematic view of the athletic apparatus; and

FIG. 15 is a partial exploded view illustrating the handle mechanism of the athletic apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-4 and 9, an athletic apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a supporting base 10 including a front portion 11 having a standing rod or column 12 extended upwardly from the front portion 11 of the supporting base 10, a seat 13 disposed on the upper or middle portion of the column 12, and a control panel 15 disposed on the upper portion 14 of the column 12 for controlling or operating the athletic apparatus, the supporting base 10 includes a middle bottom rod 16 located and laterally extended at a intermediate portion 17 of the supporting base 10, and includes a rear bottom rod 18 located and laterally extended at a rear portion 19 of the supporting base 10.

A pair of handles or hand grips or a frame 20 is attached between the column 12 and the supporting base 10, such as mounted between the seat 13 or the middle portion of the column 12 and the middle bottom rod 16 or the intermediate portion 17 of the supporting base 10 for reinforcing the supporting base 10 of the athletic apparatus. Another frame or two stays 21 may further be provided and also attached between the column 12 and the supporting base 10, such as mounted between the lower portion of the column 12 and the middle bottom rod 16 or the intermediate portion 17 of the supporting base 10 for further reinforcing the supporting base 10 of the athletic apparatus. An inverted and U-shaped strut 22 may further be provided and attached to the stays 21 for further reinforcing the supporting base 10 of the athletic apparatus.

A pair of separated tracks 3, 4 are disposed oppositely on the supporting base 10 and are preferably arranged in a mirror symmetric to each other and secured or coupled between the column 12 and the supporting base 10, such as mounted between the seat 13 or the middle portion of the column 12 and the rear bottom rod 18 or the rear portion 19 of the supporting base 10 for allowing the tracks 3, 4 to be tilted or inclined relative to the supporting base 10, and for example, the tracks 3, 4 each include two curved and parallel beams 30, 31; 40, 41 each having a non-linear structure, best shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 9-12, and the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 of the tracks 3, 4 include front or upper ends 300, 400 fixed or attached or mounted to a common or first linking member 32, 42 which is pivotally attached to the seat 13 or the middle portion of the column 12 with pivot joints 33, 43 for allowing the tracks 3, 4 to be pivoted relative to the supporting base 10.

The beams 30, 31; 40, 41 of the tracks 3, 4 each include the rear or lower ends 301, 401 coupled or connected together with another or second linking member 34, 44 respectively for allowing the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 of each track 3, 4 form a substantially parallelogramic structure. The rear or lower ends 301, 401 of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 of the tracks 3, 4 are located below and spaced farther away from each other then the front or upper ends 300, 400 of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 of the tracks 3, 4. The tracks 3, 4 each include a carrier 35 slidably attached onto the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 of the tracks 3, 4 and movable up and down along the tracks 3, 4 respectively, the carriers 35 each include one or more (such as two) ears 36 extended upwardly therefrom (FIG. 6), and each include a protrusion 37 also extended upwardly therefrom and separated from the ears 36, and each include one or more (such as two) orifices 38, 39 formed therein and located one above the other.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a foot support 5 is attached onto each of the carriers 35 and thus slidably attached onto the respective track 3, 4 for supporting the user, for example, the foot supports 5 each include a plate 50 having a front portion 51 pivotally attached to the ears 36 of the carrier 35 with a pivot axle 52 for allowing the plate 50 to be pivoted relative to the carrier 35 and the track 3, 4, the plates 50 each include an extension or block 53 extended downwardly from the rear portion 54 thereof and having an oblong hole 55 formed in the block 53 for slidably engaging with a stop 56 which is attached to the protrusion 37, for guiding and limiting the plate 50 to rotate relative to the carrier 35 and the track 3, 4.

A spring biased projection 57 is attached to the block 53 and engageable with either of the orifices 38, 39 of the protrusion 37 for anchoring the plate 50 to the carrier 35 at selected angular positions. The spring biased projections 57 each include a knob 58 coupled to the spring biased projections 57 for pulling and actuating or operating the spring biased projection 57 to engage with either of the orifices 38, 39 of the protrusion 37. A foot pedal 59 may further be provided and attached or engaged onto the plate 50 for supporting the user and for allowing the user to comfortably step onto the foot pedal 59 or the plate 50 of the foot support 5, and to move the foot support 5 up and down along the tracks 3, 4 respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7-8, a transmitting device 6 is coupled between the carriers 35 or the foot supports 5 for limiting or guiding the pedal supports 5 to move up and down along the tracks 3, 4 and to move alternatively relative to each other, and include two pulleys or rollers 60, 61 engaged onto a spindle 600 which is rotatably attached to the seat 13 or the middle portion of the column 12, with unidirectional bearing or the like, for allowing the rollers 60, 61 to be rotated freely in one direction relative to the spindle 600 and to be rotated in concert with the spindle 600 in a reverse direction, the transmitting device 6 includes a first belt 63 coupled between the carriers 35 or the foot supports 5 and frictionally engaged with the first roller 60 for allowing the carriers 35 or the foot supports 5 to be coupled or connected together with the first belt 63.

The spindle 600 is arranged to be rotated by the first roller 60 and the first belt 63 in one or active direction, such as clockwise (FIG. 8) due to the unidirectional bearing or the like when the right foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and when the left foot support 5 is moved upwardly, and the first roller 60 is arranged to be rotated freely relative to the spindle 600 in the opposite or reverse direction, such as counterclockwise when the left foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and when the right foot support 5 is moved upwardly. A stationary first follower 64 and a spring biased second follower 65 are disposed beside the second roller 61, and a second belt 66 also coupled between the carriers 35 or the foot supports 5 and engaged with the second roller 61 and the followers 64, 65 for allowing the spindle 600 also to be rotated by the second roller 61 and the second belt 66 selectively.

It is to be noted that, when the right foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and when the left foot support 5 is moved upwardly and when the spindle 600 is rotated by the first roller 60 and the first belt 63, the second roller 61 is arranged to be rotated freely relative to the spindle 600 in the opposite or reverse direction, such as counterclockwise, such that the spindle 600 may not be rotated by the second roller 61 at this moment. On the contrary, when the left foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and when the right foot support 5 is moved upwardly, the spindle 600 may be rotated by the second roller 61 and the second belt 66 in the one direction, such as clockwise due to the unidirectional bearing or the like, and at this moment or when the left foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and the right foot support 5 is moved upwardly, the first roller 60 and the first belt 63 are rotated freely in the opposite or reverse direction, such as counterclockwise relative to the spindle 600 and may not rotate or drive the spindle 600.

Accordingly, the spindle 600 may be rotated by the first roller 60 and the first belt 63 in the one direction, such as clockwise when the right foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and the left foot support 5 upwardly, and the spindle 600 may also be rotated by the second roller 61 in the one direction, such as clockwise when the left foot support 5 is stepped downwardly and the right foot support 5 is moved upwardly, such that the spindle 600 may be continuously rotated by the first roller 60 and the second roller 61 alternatively. The second roller 61 is rotated freely relative to the spindle 600 and may not be used to rotate or drive the spindle 600 when the spindle 600 is rotated or driven by the first roller 60; and the first roller 60 is rotated freely relative to the spindle 600 and may not rotate or drive the spindle 600 when the spindle 600 is driven by the second roller 61.

A resistive device 62 includes a flywheel 620 attached to the spindle 600 and rotated in concert with the spindle 600, and the resistive device 62 is coupled to the foot supports 5 for applying a resistive force to the spindle 600 and the foot supports 5, an idle wheel 67 may be rotatably attached to the stays 21 or the strut 22 of the supporting base 10 and includes a shaft 670 coupled to the flywheel 620 with another belt or strap 671 for allowing the idle wheel 67 to be rotated by the flywheel 620 and the spindle 600. An electric generator 68 may further be provided and attached to the supporting base 10 and coupled to the shaft 670 of the idle wheel 67 with a further belt or strap 680 for allowing the electric generator 68 to be rotated by the idle wheel 67 and to generate the electric energy. A brake or resistive device 69 may further be provided and attached to the supporting base 10 and located beside the idle wheel 67 for selectively braking the idle wheel 67.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 9-12, a coupling mechanism 7 is provided for coupling the lower ends of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 or of the tracks 3, 4 or the linking members 34, 44 together, and includes an arm 70 having a middle portion pivotally attached to the rear bottom rod 18 or the rear portion 19 of the supporting base 10 with a pivot pin 71, the arm 70 includes one or first end portion 72 pivotally coupled to the lower ends of the beams 40, 41 or of the track 4 or the linking member 44 with a coupling stem 73 and pivot joints 74, and another or second end portion 75 pivotally coupled to the lower ends of the other beams 30, 31 or of the other track 3 or the other linking member 34 with another coupling stem 76 and pivot joints 77 for allowing the lower ends of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 or of the tracks 3, 4 or the linking members 34, 44 to be moved toward or away from each other when the arm 70 is rotated relative to the supporting base 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, the supporting base 10 includes a panel 190 disposed on the rear bottom rod 18 or the rear portion 19 of the supporting base 10 and includes one or more apertures 191 formed therein. A spring biased latch 78 is attached to the other or second end portion 75 of the arm 70 and engageable with either of the apertures 191 of the panel 190 for anchoring the arm 70 to the supporting base 10 at selected angular positions and for retaining the lower ends of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 or of the tracks 3, 4 or the linking members 34, 44 at selected spacing distances. The lower ends of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 or of the tracks 3, 4 or the linking members 34, 44 may be moved and adjusted relative to each other when the spring biased latch 78 is disengaged from the apertures 191 of the panel 190. The spring biased latch 78 includes a knob 79 coupled to the spring biased latch 78 for actuating or operating the spring biased latch 78 to engage with either of the apertures 191 of the panel 190.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 9 and 13-15, a handle mechanism 8 includes one or more (such as two) handle members 80, 81 pivotally coupled to the upper portion 14 of the column 12 with levers 82, 83 and pivot axles 84, 85 (FIGS. 14, 15) for forming a substantially parallelogramic structure (FIGS. 13, 14) and for allowing the handle members 80, 81 to be pivoted and adjusted up and down relative to the column 12 or the supporting base 10, and includes a handle bar 86, 87 attached to each of the handle members 80, 81 for supporting the upper portion of the user. As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 15, the supporting base 10 and/or the column 12 includes a board 90 disposed thereon and includes one or more cavities 91 formed in the board 90. A spring biased catch 92 is attached to one of the levers 83 and engageable with either of the cavities 91 of the board 90 for anchoring the levers 82, 83 to the supporting base 10 and/or the column 12 at selected angular positions.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 9, the user may hold or grasp the handle bars 86, 87 to support the upper portion of the user on the handle bars 86, 87, and the user may step on the foot pedals 59 or the foot supports 5 to move the foot supports 5 up and down along the tracks 3, 4 respectively, in order to drive the idle wheel 67 and the electric generator 68 so as to generate the electric energy. The plate 50 and the foot pedal 59 may be pivoted and adjusted up and down relative to the tracks 3, 4 (FIGS. 3-5) for allowing the user to comfortably step onto the foot pedal 59 or the plate 50 of the foot support 5. The lower ends of the beams 30, 31; 40, 41 or of the tracks 3, 4 or the linking members 34, 44 may be moved or adjusted toward or away from each other by rotating the arm 70 relative to the supporting base 10 for allowing the user of different shape or size or dimension or height or the like to comfortably step onto the foot pedal 59 or the plate 50 of the foot support 5. The handle members 80, 81 may also be moved or adjusted up and down relative to the column 12 or the supporting base 10 to the selected angular positions for comfortably supporting the user of different shape or size or dimension or height or the like.

Accordingly, the athletic apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a pair of non-linear sliding tracks movable relative to the supporting base and having a pair of foot pedals slidably attached or mounted on the tracks for supporting the user's legs or feet and for allowing the user to conduct an elliptical moving or stepping or walking exercise or operation, and includes two tracks movable relative to the supporting base for supporting the foot supports.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

I claim:
 1. An athletic apparatus comprising: a supporting base including a column extended upwardly from a front portion of said supporting base, two tracks disposed on said supporting base and tilted relative to said supporting base, and said tracks including a curved and non-linear structure having rear ends located below front ends of said tracks, and said rear ends of said tracks being spaced farther away from each other then said front ends of said tracks, a first foot support and a second foot support slidably attached onto said tracks and movable up and down along said tracks respective, a transmitting device coupled between said first and said second foot supports for guiding said first and said second foot supports to move up and down along said tracks and to move alternatively relative to each other, and a resistive device coupled to said first and said second foot supports for applying a resistive force to said first and said second foot supports.
 2. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitting device includes a spindle rotatably attached to said column, a first roller and a second roller engaged onto said spindle and rotatable unidirectionally relative to said spindle, a first belt coupled between said first and said second foot supports and engaged with said first roller for coupling said first and said second foot supports together and for rotating said spindle in an active direction when said first foot support is stepped downwardly along said track, and a second belt coupled between said foot supports and engaged with said second roller for rotating said spindle in the active direction when said second foot support is stepped downwardly along said track.
 3. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transmitting device includes a first follower and a second follower disposed beside said second roller and engaged with said second belt for allowing said spindle to be rotated by said second roller and said second belt in the active direction when said second foot support is stepped downwardly along said track.
 4. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said resistive device includes a flywheel attached to said spindle and rotated in concert with said spindle for applying a resistive force to said spindle and said first and said second foot supports.
 5. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said resistive device includes an idle wheel rotatably attached to said supporting base and having a shaft coupled to said flywheel with a strap for allowing said idle wheel to be rotated by said flywheel and said spindle.
 6. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein an electric generator is attached to said supporting base and coupled to said shaft of said idle wheel for allowing said electric generator to be rotated by said idle wheel and to generate an electric energy.
 7. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein a resistive device is attached to said supporting base and located beside said idle wheel for braking said idle wheel.
 8. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and said second foot supports each include a carrier slidably attached onto said track and movable up and down along said track respectively, and a plate pivotally attached to said carrier and pivotable relative to said carrier to selected angular positions.
 9. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tracks each include two parallel beams having front ends attached to a common linking member which is pivotally attached to said column, and having rear ends coupled together with a second linking member for forming a parallelogramic structure.
 10. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a coupling mechanism coupling said rear ends of said tracks together.
 11. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said coupling mechanism includes an arm pivotally attached to said supporting base, said arm includes two end portions pivotally coupled to said rear ends of said tracks with coupling stems respectively for allowing said rear ends of said tracks to be moved toward and away from each other when said arm is rotated relative to said supporting base.
 12. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said supporting base includes a panel having an aperture formed therein, and a spring biased latch attached to said arm and engageable with said aperture of said panel for anchoring said arm to said supporting base at a selected angular position.
 13. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handle mechanism attached to said column for supporting an upper portion of a user.
 14. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said handle mechanism includes two handle members pivotally coupled to said column with levers for forming a parallelogramic structure and for allowing said handle members to be pivoted and adjusted up and down relative to said column.
 15. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said handle mechanism includes two handle bars attached to said handle members respectively.
 16. The athletic apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said column includes a board having a cavity formed in said board, and a spring biased catch is attached to one of said levers and engageable with said cavity of said board for anchoring said levers to said column at a selected angular position. 